Hotel du Parc, Medellin: Location, Location, Location!

Search for Hotel du Parc, Medellin, online and you might become a little confused, as it will likely come up under several variations: Hotel du Parc, Hotel Le Parc, Hotel du Parc Royal. But even though its name has evolved over the years, one thing that has remained constant is the word ‘Parc’, and for good reason: situated between two of Medellin’s landmark squares – Parque Lleras and Parque Poblado in the city’s toniest El Poblado neighbourhood – the 4-star Hotel du Parc has much to offer its guests, starting with the 3 most important things you would want in your home-away-from-home: Location, Location, Location.

Parque Poblado is steps away from Hotel du Parc and is a popular gathering place on weekends

Parque Lleras is quiet by day but with bars and restaurants all around its perimeter, it becomes a hotspot for nightlife after dark

Hotel du Parc’s 5-star “Zona Rosa” location

Any website will tell you (or anyone in Medellin, for that matter), that El Poblado is THE neighbourhood to be in if you are visiting this city, and for good reason: not only is this neighbourhood one of the safest and prettiest in the city, but it is also home to the best the city has to offer in terms of accommodations, dining, bars, clubs, and boutique shopping. And Hotel du Parc is situated right in the heart of the area known as the ‘Zona Rosa’, the epicentre for all the action.

It is also only a block away from the stretch of Avenida Poblado known as the Golden Mile, where you’ll find a bank on practically every corner, upscale restaurants, and some of the city’s best shopping malls.

Santa Fe Mall is one of Medellin’s best, located along the Golden Mile on Avenida Poblado

And if you are planning to get around Medellin on the Metro, the Poblado station is a 10-minute downhill walk from Hotel du Parc (and only a $2.00 taxi ride back, if you prefer to save your feet for dancing and not walking uphill!) All of which gives Hotel du Parc a 5-star rating in my book when it comes to location.

Large, Comfortable Rooms

Kitchenettes and spacious rooms come standard in the Hotel du Parc

The accommodations at Hotel du Parc offer a ‘suite-like’ experience for all its guests, as even the standard rooms are generously-sized and equipped with comfy beds, sleek bathrooms, plenty of room for lounging, and a kitchenette and bar where you can make your own coffee or even prepare snacks if you feel like staying in and relaxing with a glass of wine. (Just call the front desk and they will bring up a kit to outfit your kitchen with plates, cutlery, or whatever other equipment you might need.)

As for the wine, well, that’s already in the room so you won’t even need to leave the hotel to pick up a bottle.

Wine is waiting in your room at Hotel du Parc

The Superior Suite that Henk and I stayed in offered an added bonus: besides a king-sized bed we could get lost in, our balcony was on a higher floor, giving us a beautiful view of the city – and the ideal place to sit and admire Medellin by night.

Talk about a room with a view! This shot was taken from our 5th-floor balcony at Hotel du Parc.

Hotel du Parc: Boutique and Unique

Originally called Le Parc Hotel, Hotel du Parc’s traditional French-inspired style is still reflected in the wood-panelled entrance, and even the charming pastry shop displaying pastel macarons in its window.

Satisfy your sweet tooth right in the hotel entrance.

But once inside, the hotel has injected other decor elements to update the traditional, resulting in an eclectic mixture of classic, rustic and artistic elements. Contemporary sculpture shares space with gilt wrought-iron railings in the atrium; hallways and rooms feature colourful canvases by Javier Londoño (whose Gallery/Studio is in the concourse of the hotel); and the room’s large-scale furniture has a rustic, artisan vibe in both its scale and texture.

This is a hotel whose style is not your cookie-cutter ’boutique’, but instead offers rooms whose different colour schemes and artwork make them decidedly unique.

Hotel du Parc Suite

Rooftop Workouts with a View…or Spoil Yourself in the Spa

I’m no fitness fanatic, but if you’re going to work out while travelling, there are probably few fitness rooms that come with a view like the one at Hotel du Parc.

Workout with a view at the Hotel du Parc

Or if you prefer to really vacation when on vacation, the hotel also offers a full-service spa on the rooftop where you can indulge in a massage, a Turkish sauna, or relax in a whirlpool bath big enough for two.

Hotel du Parc’s rooftop spa

(And after walking those hills of Medellin all day, a little pampering is certainly justified.) I only wish this rooftop space offered a bar, as the views from here at night would be stellar.

Breakfast Al Fresco

In a city that boasts a climate of ‘Eterna primavera’ (forever spring), there’s no better way to start your day than by enjoying breakfast al fresco, and Hotel du Parc’s Le Bistro is a pretty outdoor restaurant at the front of the hotel where you can do just that.

Le Bistro restaurant at Hotel du Parc

Protected under an awning and kept private from the sidewalk with lush greenery, the morning buffet offered us a large selection of breakfast goodies, and hot items that changed every day.

In addition to the large selection of fresh fruit, meats, cereals and freshly-baked breads, there was always an omelette chef on hand ready to prepare made-to-order eggs to complement the buffet items. I have to say that Henk and I were really happy to have breakfast included with our room, both for the convenience, and the excellent quality and selection of the food.

Staff That Goes the Extra Mile

Amenities are one thing, but the real welcome at Hotel du Parc comes from its people. From the minute Henk and I arrived at Hotel du Parc, the staff did everything possible to make us feel at home, offering to help in any way with suggestions for what to do and see in Medellin. I owe special thanks to our front desk saviour who managed to secure a Friday night reservation for us at Carmen, (one of Medellin’s best restaurants) with only 2-days notice. Even in shoulder season, reservations at the city’s top-tier restaurants do not come that easy (and not speaking Spanish makes it even more difficult) so we have our wonderful bilingual front desk manager to thank for one of the best meals we enjoyed in Medellin.

Hotel du Parc’s front desk is a huge help if you want to make reservations or need help getting to know Medellin

Landing in a new city is always a little unsettling at first until you get your bearings, but thanks to Hotel du Parc and its staff, our introduction to Medellin couldn’t have been warmer or more welcoming. In fact, I think I can honestly say that Hotel du Parc Royal lived up to its name by treating us like a king and queen during our stay!

TIP: If you are looking for great views of Medellin (especially beautiful at night), try to request a room on the 5th floor overlooking Calle 9.